Chen Dongnan
Chen Dongnan is an independent documentary filmmaker from Xi'an, China. Her debut film, SOUND OF VISION, an experimental short following a blind man's exploration of New York, which she worked on as one of the producers, directors and editors, was nominated for Emmy Awards and premiered at HotDocs. THE TRAIL FROM XINJIANG, a profile of three pickpockets from China's far west Xinjiang, has been widely screened at festivals, universities and museums worldwide. SINGING IN THE WILDERNESS, her first feature documentary was selected by IFFR, ND/NF, DMZ, Sydney FF, Thessaloniki and so forth. Dongnan is a graduate from New York University and a fellow of Sundance Edit and Story Lab.
Director's statement
In today’s Dafen, “copy painting” has become a veritable taboo, a notorious past that the community is eager to distance itself from. “Original painting” is the new hot word, in sync with the latest policy to move towards high-end.
Since China’s reform and opening up, Dafen has been closely following the market trend. Its paintings primarily fulfill the changing needs of the consumers from different social backgrounds. In recent years, with the sharp decline of international orders, Dafen has to enter a new phase.
Who are the consumers for the original paintings now? Where will they be displayed? Can the painters find themselves a place in the art hierarchy? Is “original art” a lofty ambition, or a way to survive? I want to carefully gaze at these paintings that are frequently encountered yet often overlooked, and to create an exhibition for these works that cannot enter the art museums.
